Fla. museum gets lifeboat from pirate rescue

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A Florida museum dedicated to Navy SEAL history will receive the lifeboat where a sea captain captured by Somali pirates was held and eventually rescued.

The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce is scheduled to get the 20-foot lifeboat, still battered and full of broken glass, on Friday. Officials say the vessel comes from shipping company Maersk, operator of the captured cargo ship.

U.S. Navy snipers shot and killed three of Capt. Richard Phillips's captors in April, ending a standoff that began several days earlier when his cargo ship surrendered to Somali pirates. Phillips was hailed as a hero after offering himself as a hostage.

The lifeboat is bright orange and relatively large, with a round shape and enclosed top.

Jack

Those that can should take the opportunity to visit the UDT-SEAL Museum in Ft. Pierce, FL. The Museum is quite huge covering many acres with artifacts taken from many wars, all directly connected to combat from Teams of WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and the current Near East engagements.

The Museum is staffed by a few salaried personnel to include a Curator, plus many volunteer Retired Team members and their wives. The inner buildings are loaded with artifacts to include Alphabetical Plaques of Teams of yesteryear, 3 of which I had the pleasure of formulating the alpha listings.

The walkways are lined with individual bricks with the names of Frogmen and SEALs, each with it own personal stamped engraving. There is also a Ship's Stores for purchasing Frogman and SEAL memobrilla and apparel.

In November of each year, this year being 6-8 Nov, there is a Muster, a gathering of Frogmen, SEALs, and visiting civilians. At this time there are special Team activities and extra displays. The Museum has been in existance since 1969 at the site of the training grounds of the WWII Frogmen.

http://www.navysealmuseum.com/